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This table shows the considerable and progressive decline in
the death-rate from Diphtheria which has occurred in England
and Wales for many years. This decline is to be mainly attributed
to the use of antitoxin, as the virulence of Diphtheria has
not become reduced as in the case of Scarlet Fever.
School attendance was alleged by the parents to be the cause
of attack during the year in 5 instances.
Three children appear to have caught the infection from previous
cases in the same household. in 3 cases it was very clear
that a preceding Tonsilitis, or operation or. the tonsils, predisposed
to an attack of Diphtheria. It is of further interest to
record the great number of instances in which we were informed
by the parent that the children had histories of "weak throats,"
with frequently recurring attacks of Tonsilitis; and the very mild
nature of several of the attacks.
The infection in 1 case was attributed to a visit to a Picture
Palace; and in 3 cases the infection may have been reintroduced
by the return of a previous sufferer from a Fever Hospital.